North Carolina Museum of History Part I: My favorite part of the exhibit was definitely on pirates! As I walked through the museum, I was most engaged by its visually appealing artifacts and interesting facts. Also, middle school students would likely enjoy this unique section. One thing I found interesting in this section was that citizens were willing to buy stolen goods from pirates! Resources from pirates were much more accessible for colonists, so they gladly welcomed these stolen goods! The artifact I found most interesting was definitely the small ship. Blackbeard, the pirate, was said to have captured the Concorde, a French slave ship. Renamed the Queen Anne's Revenge, this ship was turned into a weapon used to capture eighteen other vessels! This section of the NC exhibit was ominous, dark, detailed, and extremely intriguing!
Part II. 1. How would you prep your students prior to their visit to the museum?
I would first and foremost explain typical place based learning rules. Students should be reminded that this is a trip to actively learn, not simply play. They would definitely have a worksheet to fill out as well, so they would all be asked to bring a writing utensil and their worksheet. I would also remind my students of what can be learned from the museum, including the importance of the exhibits that they will have the chance to explore. By doing these things, I would want my students to be prepared to behave in a positive manner as they will be setting an example of the high standards of their school.
2. As a teacher how would you guide your students through the exhibits? (would you provide them with worksheets, scavenger hunt, what would they be looking for?)
I would would want my students to fill out a scavenger hunt type activity where they would be asked to find certain things such as the treasure chest in the pirate exhibit. They would be asked to describe and list a fact about each item. They would also have an opportunity to share what they enjoyed about the museum and what they found interesting.
3. Which sections of the exhibits would you focus on the most? Why?
I would probably focus most on the sections on Indians, Pirates, Africans (including slavery), and the World Wars. I feel as though these are very engaging sections of the exhibit that can be used as a extension of work done in class. They are topics that students have likely heard some on, but that they could gain more of an understanding by exploring in the museum.
4. What types of activities would you create while the students are visiting the museum?
Fill in the blank for important information that I want students to remember.
Drawing activities of some of the artifacts that are of particular importance.
'Who am I' sections where students will be given information and they have to find out who that person is in history.
Favorite part of the museum section where students can share their own opinions.
Important Figures section where students will be asked to find information on particular indivdiuals.
5. How would you extend the activities into the classroom?
I would extend these activities in the classroom in several ways. The 'Who am I' section can be extended in a letter writing activity where students could write as if they were that individual in time. Students could also create a poster of their important figures to share with the class.
6. What questions or concerns might you have as a teacher taking a group of students to a museum with vast exhibits?
My concerns revolve around keeping students motivated. It will be difficult to keep track of all of the students, making sure they are focused. Also, some exhibits have interactive portions that students can touch while others are not. I'm concerned with the best way to keep students from interacting when they should not be interacting. Also, there are many different portions of the exhibit where students could get distracted. Making sure all students are actively engaged and not goofing off with be a task in itself.
Part I:
My favorite part of the exhibit was definitely on pirates! As I walked through the museum, I was most engaged by its visually appealing artifacts and interesting facts. Also, middle school students would likely enjoy this unique section. One thing I found interesting in this section was that citizens were willing to buy stolen goods from pirates! Resources from pirates were much more accessible for colonists, so they gladly welcomed these stolen goods! The artifact I found most interesting was definitely the small ship. Blackbeard, the pirate, was said to have captured the Concorde, a French slave ship. Renamed the Queen Anne's Revenge, this ship was turned into a weapon used to capture eighteen other vessels! This section of the NC exhibit was ominous, dark, detailed, and extremely intriguing!
Part II.
1. How would you prep your students prior to their visit to the museum?
- I would first and foremost explain typical place based learning rules. Students should be reminded that this is a trip to actively learn, not simply play. They would definitely have a worksheet to fill out as well, so they would all be asked to bring a writing utensil and their worksheet. I would also remind my students of what can be learned from the museum, including the importance of the exhibits that they will have the chance to explore. By doing these things, I would want my students to be prepared to behave in a positive manner as they will be setting an example of the high standards of their school.
2. As a teacher how would you guide your students through the exhibits? (would you provide them with worksheets, scavenger hunt, what would they be looking for?)- I would would want my students to fill out a scavenger hunt type activity where they would be asked to find certain things such as the treasure chest in the pirate exhibit. They would be asked to describe and list a fact about each item. They would also have an opportunity to share what they enjoyed about the museum and what they found interesting.
3. Which sections of the exhibits would you focus on the most? Why?- I would probably focus most on the sections on Indians, Pirates, Africans (including slavery), and the World Wars. I feel as though these are very engaging sections of the exhibit that can be used as a extension of work done in class. They are topics that students have likely heard some on, but that they could gain more of an understanding by exploring in the museum.
4. What types of activities would you create while the students are visiting the museum?- Fill in the blank for important information that I want students to remember.
- Drawing activities of some of the artifacts that are of particular importance.
- 'Who am I' sections where students will be given information and they have to find out who that person is in history.
- Favorite part of the museum section where students can share their own opinions.
- Important Figures section where students will be asked to find information on particular indivdiuals.
5. How would you extend the activities into the classroom?- I would extend these activities in the classroom in several ways. The 'Who am I' section can be extended in a letter writing activity where students could write as if they were that individual in time. Students could also create a poster of their important figures to share with the class.
6. What questions or concerns might you have as a teacher taking a group of students to a museum with vast exhibits?Part III.
Extra photos from the museum: